CornwallLive readers are up in arms after news was shared that a heritage Cornish brand has been sold to a German firm. Trewithen Dairy, the renowned maker of Cornish clotted cream, has been snapped up by Ehrmann, a prominent German dairy firm.
Trewithen Dairy at Greymare Farm in the Glynn Valley was started and has been owned by the Clarke family since 1976. Lovers of clotted cream have been having their say in our comments seection and while some can see the good side, others aren't so please by the sale.
One said such a sale is "never a good thing" and others guessed it would soon be moved to Germany, leaving Cornwall with one less clotted cream maker. Read on to see what CornwallLive readers had to say about the sale.
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DAVIDKC writes: "Well, I hope they carry on producing proper clotted cream; so much better than the solid stuff the bigger brand produces these days."
Dk_redruth thinks: "Sold to foreign ownership is never a good thing. Hardly anything left in this country unfortunately.” Pussinbootz points out: “Rowes pasties hasn't been Cornish for a while either, probably more haven't, business is business.” Cheriese Otley agrees: “It's still Cornish-made and creating more jobs.”
Woody_1961 disagrees: “Foreign ownership is a fantastic thing. It demonstrates a global company wants to invest in Great Britain. Much more evidence of this since Brexit.”
Teapot2 concerned: “I am fairly sure I can predict the future. In about six months' time production will be quietly switched to Germany (stating cost difficulties) all the jobs will be lost and the factory declared ‘brown field’ This ensures planning permission is passed with ease for hundreds of houses that no one local can buy because they have no jobs, now that the factory has sold. Cadburys did the same in Bristol!”
Triggerandhisdoggo is looking forward to it: “I’ve never tried German cakes and puddings, but both me and my doggo are happy to give them a go!”
Over on Facebook Stephen Bricknell says: “Well now we got German Cornish clotted cream, well what's next, CornwallLive broadcasting from Iceland??” Gary Bilkey agrees: “It's the same old thing. Any successful business will always be bought by foreign investors. We keep nothing in this country.”
Sue Sainsbury writes: “What's wrong with you naysayers? The article says the factory is staying so it’s still Cornish cream! I'm glad overseas companies are investing in Cornwall, it's positive IMO.” Rosie Blowman agrees: “They also said the 260 jobs at Trewithen will be secured for the future while more jobs could be created to accommodate its £20m expansion plans.” Why are people sad reacting to this? It’s good news!”
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Jeremy Gist says: “So they said no one would want to invest in Cornwall after Brexit, still Cornish and a massive cash injection so it's not all negative.”
Tom Walvin is happy too: “They're still going to be making their normal products, they're still going to produce their signature products. Just because the executive management is German doesn't mean they're going to be changing the products does it!"
Located in the Glynn Valley, the dairy will undergo expansion to begin production of cakes and puddings, which are among the specialities Ehrmann exports to the UK market. Executives at Ehrmann anticipate that Trewithen Dairy will contribute up to 15 per cent of its annual global sales.
They have also assured that the 260 positions at Trewithen will be preserved, with the potential for additional job creation to support its £20 million expansion efforts.
Olliewilks likes the news: “How can this be anything but good news for Cornwall. The dairy is expanding and bringing additional jobs to the area. A success story and yet people still complain. - unbelievable.” woody_1961 agrees: “Brilliant news for Liskeard, brilliant news for Cornwall. FANTASTIC!”
Cornishbusiness says: “This has been coming since Trewithin stopped its distribution to small businesses around Cornwall with 3 days notice. Sadly for many of us that ended up having to use national suppliers rather than local. Shame really, another Cornish business that will now concentrate on the national opportunity rather than what's best for Cornwall, although additional jobs will be welcome.”
How do you feel about this news? Are you worried your favourite clotted cream might lose it's flavour? Have your say in our comments section.
